Ottawa City officials say they are preparing for a “unique” Canada Day, with plans to prevent anti-government protests from becoming another occupation.
Traditional national-broadcast shows return for the first time since 2019, this time from the plaza in front of the Canada War Museum due to construction underway on Parliament Hill.
Ottawa police say they expect more protests and larger crowds than usual during Canada Day celebrations as Freedom Convoy-related groups continue to plan demonstrations. Some of these groups have indicated they would like to protest until July and August.
“This is expected to be a unique Canada Day, with more crowds and a larger footprint of events,” Ottawa interim police chief Steve Bell told a news conference Monday.
MIRAR | Acting Police Chief Steve Bell talks about plans for Canada Day:
Police promise “swift and decisive” action against any attempted Canada Day occupation
Steve Bell, interim head of Ottawa police, says protesters will not be able to set up structures such as sheds or tents, or have their own dance parties on city streets.
“We have developed our plans in the shadow of the illegal protests and the Rolling Thunder event. We have been talking to community members and businesses and are well aware of the persistent trauma and concern for what they are hearing after these events. “
Bell said officers will allow legal protests while closing illegal activities, including the creation of structures or speakers without permission and the threat of occupation, such as on downtown streets in the winter.
He said police have followed the comments online and tried to talk to people who have said they will come to protest.
Police take a person into custody while working to clear an area of Rideau Street during a convoy-style protest called Rolling Thunder in Ottawa on April 29, 2022. (Justin Tang / The Canadian Press)
“[We’ve] planned, we are ready and we have the resources, “Bell replied when he answered a question about whether police were ready to intervene again as they did in late April, when officers closed attempts to meet close to the Rideau Center shopping center.
Provincial police and the RCMP have offered help to close the attempted occupation whenever there is a risk, he said.
At least 5 days of traffic control
Last week, Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson told people who planned to come to the capital “not to be intimidated by people who may come to Ottawa to cause trouble.”
On Monday he said he wants this to be a festive and safe event for children and families and to be drawn without warning to people who “come to disturb.”
Overall, Bell said police expect hundreds of thousands of people in the city center. In comparison, an estimated 56,000 people went to the shows on Parliament Hill in 2019 and that doesn’t count all those celebrating nearby.
Some 16,000 people attended the noon show on the hill in 2019. (CBC News)
There will be the traditional Canada Day road closures on Friday, July 1 and early Saturday, although there are more closures near LeBreton Flats due to this change in the location of the show.
But Ottawa police are establishing another “vehicle exclusion zone” – similar to the one established in late April for the Rolling Thunder motorcycle rally – with no street parking or protest vehicles from at 8 a.m. this Wednesday until at least 6 p.m. on Monday, July 4th.
Ottawa police control access to these parts of the city center, including two river bridges. All vehicles not participating in rallies or protests will be able to enter, the city says, but drivers cannot park on the street. (City of Ottawa)
These plans may change if necessary, officials said Monday. People are asked to plan ahead, wait for delays, and check city and local media pages for updates.
The service of OC Transpo and Société de transport de l’Outaouais is free on July 1 and for OC Transpo, until 4 am on July 2.